Skerlong Knocking on the Door for Maiden Victory, Muniz Races to the Top-Ten

Round: 8 of the 2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda

Where: The Streets of Trois Rivieres, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Canada 1.521 – mile temporary street circuit

TV: August 17, 2008 at 1:30 pm ET

Drivers: Carl Skerlong #14 King Taco and Frankie Muniz #41 PCM/USRT

Maiden Victory: Carl Skerlong is a proven front-runner and contender in the 2008 Atlantic championship. He’s scored a pole position and three podium finishes in seven races. His average starting position is third and he’s finished in the top-five, five times. One achievement eludes the 19-year Seattle racer…his first Atlantic victory and Skerlong believes it could come this weekend,

"We have a good street course car, and I think we’ve got a good shot at this event, not least with the track being new to virtually everybody. I’ve been studying the course with the computer games and I am definitely still in the running for the championship so I’m hoping we can put it all together this weekend and get a strong result. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and enjoying the passion of the Canadian race fans. They really love their racing here so it always makes for a great atmosphere!"

Top-Ten Racer: Frankie Muniz has stated his goals publicly since he signed with Pacific Coast Motorsports in January. He intends to run inside the top-ten in the world’s most competitive driver development series and he achieved that goal last weekend. Muniz has finished every race this season and improved from his starting position in six of the last seven races. At Road America last weekend, he achieved his goal and finished 10th in the second race of the double-header battle at one of America’s most famous road courses. "It’s great to be competing inside the top-ten in this series.

With just three seasons of racing under my belt, this is a huge achievement for me personally and I intend to make a habit of it! I am so excited to race this weekend in Trois Rivieres. This event has so much history and it is an honor to participate here. The track is tough, it is fast and bumpy but Tim (Lewis, race engineer) and I are working well together and I am sure we are going to put out a fast race car."

Road America Correction: Following the second race of the Road America double-header last weekend, we inaccurately stated Skerlong’s damage to his car was a result from contact with Markus Neimela. The suspension damage was in fact due to a bolt which was not properly fastened. Skerlong’s performance on the series’ fastest circuit with loose suspension was phenomenal; he finished the race in fifth position despite nursing a compromised race car.

PCM Online Team Members: Pacific Coast Motorsports recently activated their online team member program. Fans who sign up at www.pcmracing.com are invited to private meet and greet sessions with the Atlantic and IndyCar drivers at each event. In addition to garage tours, ticket give-aways and discounts on merchandise. Join the team today!

- Katie Brannan-